I have heard some say that cuttings yield less because they do not have taproots. Have you heard that? I have heard you can get the yields faster though. Thank you for the help.

A cutting will develop a tap root too. Depends on how it is rooted. Rooted in water or air - no. But rooted in damp potting mix, yes. I never recommend rooting tomato cuttings in water or by air layering.

Dave

Why wouldn't you reccomend air Layering?

Air layering is for difficult to root plants, a last ditch method for the most part. And tomato plants are very easy to root. Layering is far more difficult, cumbersome, and time consuming. I can root 10 cuttings off one plant in the time it takes to layer one. Plus it is more stressful on the mother plant than simple soil rooting of cuttings. And soil rooting produces a better root structure.

Dave

I use air layering on my Tomatoes. I use the Coco I grow them in. I get a way better root system than cuttings. I appreciate the help.

It may look like it is better but the root function is compromised. You will never get a tap root, only fibrous roots with air layering. Your choice.

Dave

How do you get a taproot with cuttings? I get pretty big roots with air layering.

I assume you know that not all roots have the same appearance, the same structure, or the same function? And that root development is a triggered response of the plant to its environment? It's basic botany.

Why would a layered plant be triggered to develop a tap root when it is still attached to the mother plant? It doesn't. It is getting all the water it needs from the humidity in the layering container and the tap root of the mother plant.

A cutting has no such attachment and the need for tap root development is immediately triggered - get me water. Once that is accomplished then sets out to develop fibrous feeder roots. All the layered plant needs is the fibrous feeder roots. Once it it cut from the mother plant it then has to adjust to and overcome the long term stress of having no tap root.

Dave

I do see what would be described as a fibrous root system. I plant deeper to help encourage rooting. I prefer air layering also because the plant seems to transplant better for me.

If I am not mistaken all tomatoes grown from seed in starter cells and potted into a cup or 2" pot won't have tap root. But it it is planted directly in the ground or in a real big container then it will develop tap root.

I Think tap root's function is to anchor the plant. I could be wrong.

Sey

I don't know about a tap root in these cases, but from seed, it most definitely starts with a tap root. I don't see a true tap root forming from anything but a seedling's original radicle, but tend to agree that putting a cutting initially in the ground will force a root system better suited for the earth focusing the energy it has downward, just as air layering will develop a more branched system suited for a lateral rooting environment and blind to the bottom since it has all the nourishment it needs there.

I don't have the patience to do air layering other than once in a while for entertainment since the time gained is minimal.

If they didn't recover so quickly it would be a different story. I'm fairly confident I could get good roots for me (I only use containers and don't need the deep roots), but that would mean giving air layering a lot of attention as if there weren't more things to worry about. My worry is the mother plant might get infected easier with all the mold and fungus in FL. The mother is usually my breadwinner and not being discarded so I just get it out of the way with a quick, clean cut. If it works well with fibrous roots and you've taken the trouble to compare the methods side-by-side - then it works and all is good.

Cheers

PC